2170 messages,
Last post on Mar 20, 2013 at 9:25 PM
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Porsche 911 Forum.
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Porsche 911, Porsche Carrera GT, Coupe, Convertible
#1862 of 2170 Re: 911 Engines and Advice for 1st time buyer [porsche4me2]
by buylow
May 06, 2008 (11:04 pm)
I just bought a 2006 911 coup with 13000 miles, certified pre-owned, and I'm love'n it. Can't wait to get home to drive it, and take the long way home when I'm in it. I read that the 997's were 80% redesigned - new and improved. I've heard that a certified porsche can't even have a door panel painted or it would not qualify. If you're a newbie, like me, I think a 997, certified pre-owned from a prosche dealer with the extended warranty and wheel and tire protection, is the only way to go.
#1863 of 2170 Porsche active suspension management
by buylow
May 06, 2008 (11:29 pm)
With pasm in normal mode, is the ride on a bumpy road more comfortable than in a base 911 (without pasm as an option)? I read a thread somewhere on this forum with conflicting answers. Some said pasm in normal is just like the ride of a base 911. Some said it was different. What is the real deal? I don't think I could ever part with my 2006 911, but if I did, would there be a benefit of getting pasm for people like me who do not go to the race track?
#1864 of 2170 Re: Porsche active suspension management [buylow]
by habitat1
May 07, 2008 (3:18 am)
With pasm in normal mode, is the ride on a bumpy road more comfortable than in a base 911 (without pasm as an option)?
From my experience, the PASM option set to "normal" results in a slightly less harsh, more comfortable ride than a base 911 with no PASM. The difference is not huge if the base 911 has 18" wheels, but becomes more noticable if it has the optional 19" wheels. Also, because PASM lowers the ride height and provides some other suspension tweaks, the handling/cornering on the S models with PASM set to normal mode still seems a bit better than the non-PASM base model. When you switch the PASM to "sport", handling is noticably firmer with zero body sway, but the comfort level over rough roads goes down noticably. When I activate my sport chrono/sport exhaust button, the PASM automatically toggles to sport and, unless I'm on very smooth roads, I usually toggle it back to normal.
PASM is an expensive option to add to a base 911 and, IMO, is one of the reasons prospective buyers might want to consider and S model, especially if they are also going to add 19" wheels and xenon lights. By that point, you are only paying about $5,500 for the engine upgrade and a couple of other upgrades not available on the base car.
#1865 of 2170 Re: 911 Engines and Advice for 1st time buyer [buylow]
by habitat1
May 07, 2008 (3:50 am)
If you're a newbie, like me, I think a 997, certified pre-owned from a prosche dealer with the extended warranty and wheel and tire protection, is the only way to go.
There are two schools of thought. Yes, the Porsche CPO program has an extended warranty and, one would hope, the dealer will stand behind the car. It's a good program.
However, also depending upon the dealer, CPO prices can be grossly inflated. I've seen 1 year old CPO cars being attempted to be sold for darn near what a savvy buyer could get a new car for. My dealer readily admits that they make 2-3 times the mark-up on a used CPO trade than they do on a new car. Also, as has been pointed out, proper break in is absolutely critical for high performance sports cars in general, the 911 in particular. Looking eye to eye with a private owner and asking them what they did regarding break in and how they drove the car would be one way to assess this. Lastly, there are good independent extended warranties available - even a Porsche customer service rep told me that some privately available extended warranties cover certain "cosmetic" items that the CPO warranty does not.
My own experience opened my eyes to the other side of CPO. When my dealer asked me in March if I was interested in trading for a 2008, the trade in value they placed on my car was $18k less than what they were asking for a similar vintage, less well optioned C2S on the lot at the time. When I pointed out the discrepency, that's when they admitted to making a lot more on a used car than new one. The new car sales manager even went so far as to recommend that I sell mine privately, if I had the time. As he explained, many of their trade ins are from "desparate" sellers that got in over their head or had other circumstances that required they get rid of the car quickly. And, unfortunately, some of these desparate sellers were probably not careful about break in, proper warm up and responsible driving. Accidents repairs are not allowed, but improper break in and abuse is hard to detect until it's too late.
CPO or private-party, it pays to do your research and shop around.
#1866 of 2170 996 oil consumption
by 911nut
May 07, 2008 (8:53 pm)
My 2002 996 C4 conv. had it's rear main seal replaced 2x, the first I pain and the second the dealer covered the cost, mileage is 41,000. Prior to the main seal replacement the 996 required 1 qt of oil every 600 miles. Post rear main seal, it consumes 1.25 qts every 300 miles. To say the least, this has me very concerned. The dealer has always maintained that the 600 mile consumption is with spec. I have not spoken to the dealer regarding this concern I am hoping to get some feedback before I approach this subject. Originally I had purchased this car with 24k miles. My 2007 997S with 4K miles has not consumed a single drop, even though I track it on a monthly basis. What's up with this? I really love the 996 and don't even consider selling it.
#1867 of 2170 Re: 996 oil consumption [911nut]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 07, 2008 (10:43 pm)
It's certainly not "within spec" that's for sure. Did you mean 1.25 qt every 3000 miles? that would be okay. It's fine for an engine to use a little oil; in fact, probably good for it.
If it wasn't a TYPO and you are using a quart every 300 miles, you have a serious problem that may require a new short block.
#1868 of 2170 Re: 996 oil consumption [Mr_Shiftright]
by 911nut
May 08, 2008 (3:22 pm)
I wish it was 3000 miles. Unfortunately its every 300 miles.
#1869 of 2170 Re: 996 oil consumption [911nut]
by bsissi
May 08, 2008 (4:53 pm)
I bought a used 2004 911 with 24k miles and discovered that it was using 1.3 qts every 400-500 miles. I had to put pressure on the dealer to replace the engine becuase their magic number is 1.67 qts per 660 miles.. which is bull. You would have to fill the passenger seat with oil for a trip of any distance.
#1870 of 2170 Re: 996 oil consumption [bsissi]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 08, 2008 (5:20 pm)
That's crazy. I can't believe the Porsche factory would issue such a statement in print. Maybe the dealer is just making this up?
Any consumption under 1 qt per 1,000 miles is alarming IMO.
#1871 of 2170 Re: Porsche active suspension management [habitat1]
by buylow
May 08, 2008 (9:41 pm)
Thanks for the info on PASM and certified pre-owned warranty. I guess if the mark up is higher on CPO's then you have to negotiate harder and know your prices. When I bought my 2006 911 from the porsche dealer I was playing off a similar 2006 porsche I liked that was at a BMW dealer. The porsche dealer wanted $71,000 (13,000 miles). The BMW dealer also wanted $71,000 (of course, not CPO), but quickly came down to $65,000 (12,000 miles). The next day, when I was at the prosche dealer, the BMW guy called and said he would drop the price lower, so I was fired up while negotiating with the prosche dealer. I tried to get the car for $61,000, but the porsche dealer would not go below $65,000. When I got up to walk out, he threw in the towel and said he would extend the warranty to 100,000 miles and take it out to 2012 if I bought it now. I bought the car and thought I had cut a fat hog. The salesman made it sound like he was giving up the store and wouldn't eat for a week, but from reading this forum, it sounds like the CPO comes with the car anyway. I guess I'm going to have to change my user name.
To change the subject, there has been a lot of talk about oil leaks due to possibly not breaking in the car properly. This seems to be more with the 996's and earlier. I don't remember reading about any 997's with this problem. I have a cabinet shop in my garage and have to park my 997 outside in order to work which is probably 4 to 5 times a week. Engine on about 30 seconds. The car has 13,800 miles and let's assume it was broken in properly. We usually go for a one or two hour drive on a
Sat. or Sun. with a lot of freeway driving at 60 to 80 mph. Don't drive it during the week. I'm assuming that having the engine on for just 30 seconds is better than driving it for 5 to 10 mins. Just like not turning the engine on at all, right? Or, does it matter at all, assuming that the car was broken in properly. This stuff about the problems not showing up until 45 or 50,000 is scary. And, these guys that are having so much oil consumption on cars that costs over $70,000 is just unbelievable. Any thoughts?